Ian Wright To Step Down After 14 Years With Diageo

LONDON--Ian Wright is to end his 14-year career at Diageo, with Charlotte Lambkin announced as the corporate relations director's successor.

Wright joined Diageo in 2000, taking on his current role in 2004. He will remain with the company until March of next year, while Lambkin joins in January from her present position as group communications director at BAE Systems.

According to his Influence 100 entry, the former Lib Dem speechwriter and political consultant is "due plenty of credit for Diageo’s much improved reputation over the past decade, winning an individual achievement SABRE Award in 2010 in recognition of this."

In a statement released yesterday, Diageo adviser to the chairman and chief executive Paul Walsh said that ‘Ian has been a principal architect of Diageo’s reputation."

" It was he and his team who first articulated our ambition to be one of ‘the world’s most trusted and respected companies’ and he has been a major contributor in our efforts to achieve it," said Wright. "I know he took particular pride on the two occasions when we were named Britain’s Most Admired Company. He has made a very important contribution to Diageo’s standing among global corporations and has also been a key member of the executive committee. We all wish him well.’

Wright joined Diageo after six years at Boots, and is expected to confirm his next role within the coming months.

Lambkin leaves BAE Systems after almost nine years with the company, including the past five as a member of the executive committee.